Improvement in bale-ties



M SMITH. Bale-Ties.

\ Patented Dec. 22,1874.

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Ww y Mad UNITED STATES PATEN'T @Enron J. NOTTINGHAM SMITH, OF' JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN SALE-TIES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,940, dated December 29, 1874; application filed September 4, 1874.

y ing together the ends of a metallic hoop, strap,

or band for inclosin g and securing the contents of a bale or package of cotton, hay, or other material. The device whichI employ for this purpose serves not only to securely fasten or tie the strap or band around the said bale or package, so as to resist the usual and ordinary strains to which such strap or band is sub ject-ed in the handling and transportation of the bale or package, but it also may serve, if desired, as a seal or lock to prevent improper tampering` with the contents by the removal and replacing of the strap; and it thus may, among other uses, take the place of the ordinary lead seal commonly used by express companies for securing the contents of packages committed to their charge.

My invention consists of a tongue or tongues or clasps thrown up by cutting and pressure out of, but not `detached from, the body of the metal of the strap near its end, and corresponding holes or openings in the other end of the strap or band, into which such tongues or clasps are inserted when the strap is in position on the bale, said tongues or clasps being bent down over the edges of the said openings, thus securely fastening the two ends of the strap together, as is hereinafter more fullyr 'set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are side views of the two ends of a strap or band as they appear before being fastened together, which illustrate my invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are edge views of the same. Fig. 5 is a side view of the same fastened together. Fig. 6 is an edge view of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line a' x, Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8 is a side view of one modification of my invention. Fig. 9 is a cross-section of the same on the line y y.

A and B are the two ends of the strap or band. a a are the tongues or clasps thrown up out of, but not detached from, the body of the metal in A and B by cutting and punch-I ing, and bending or pressure. In punching and pressing out these tongues or clasps holes or openings b b are formed in the strap.

One end of the strap or band may be prepared at the factory or mill where the strap is made, and, after the exact length is determined, the other end may be prepared by a suitable tool at the place where the strap is to be appliedto the bale.

When the two ends of the strap are prepared as shown, it is placed around the bale, the tongues a a are inserted in the holes b b, and the tongues a a in the holes b b', and all these tongues are then bent down around the edges of the holes, as clearly shown in Fig. 7.

In the modification of my invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9 a piece is punched entirely out of the end A, leaving a hole, but no tongues. In the end B two tongues are formed .from the metal removed to form a single hole, the metal punched out being divided longitudinally in the middle, and left adhering to the sides of the hole. The two ends of the strap Vare then brought together, the tongues are passed through the hole in the other end of the strap, and bent down around the outer edges of the hole, thus locking the two pieces firmly together.

In order to make this tie or fastening serve as a lock or seal, it is only necessary to turn one or more of the tongues or clasps toward the bale or package, and close them down with a suitable tool. These tongues or clasps are thus closed down inside the strap,and in such a position that it would be necessary to cut or break the strap in order to remove it.

The tie may also be made by cutting and pressing up a single tongue in one end of the strap and making a very narrow slit or opening (but no tongue) in the other end of the strap, and locking them as above; but I prefer to use at least two tongues, and preferably four, as I consider that construction much stronger and better than either of the others.

Another modiiication of my invention may be made by making openingsor notches in one end of the strap on its edges, entirely removing about the same amount of stock, and in a similar shape to that removed in making a tongue; and corresponding tongues may be made on the edges of the other end of the strap, and then the two ends be locked together; but I do not consider this construction so desirable as that first-above described, Where four tongues or clasps are used.

By means of the devices above described I secure a light, strong, and durable tie, and one easily applied Without the use of extra small pieces of metal, which are more troublesome to handle and apply, and more expensive.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim- A bale-tie made by cutting and pressing up out of the body of the metal strap tongues or clasps a a on one or both ends of the said strap, which tongues or clasps are inserted into openings formed in the other end of the said strap, and closed down around the edges of the said openings, substantially as hereinabove set forth.

J. NOTTINGHAM SMITH. Witnesses:

J. F. MCGEE, HAMILTON WALLIS. 

